Best of Banff Mountain Film Festival lineup released

What: Best of the Banff Mountain Film Festival 2003

Where: Rainbow Theatre

When: Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29

Tickets: $14/one show, $26/both shows

For 13 years, Whistler locals have enjoyed selections of the best films from the internationally renowned Banff Mountain Film Festival in their own backyard. Perennial sponsor the Escape Routes James Retty has brought in 10 diverse films this year, organized into two screening groups, to be shown at 5:30 and 8 p.m. tonight and Saturday, Nov. 29 at the Rainbow Theatre, a new venue for the event. For more information, call the Escape Route at 604-938-3228.

The screening groups, which stay the same on both days, are as follows:

5:30 p.m.

Front Range Freaks: Biscuit

(USA, 2003: Peter Mortimer)

Backcountry dogs are usually strapping husky types, but Biscuit, one very determined terrier, doesnt let her diminutive size keep her from the big climbs.

A Man Called Nomad

(UK, 2003: Alex Gabbay)

Winner of the 2003 Best Film on Mountain Culture Award, this extraordinary film asks the question "What makes a man a nomad? Is it his land, his herd or his heart?" through the story of Choegatar, a 30-year-old nomad from northeastern China caught in the interface between traditional nomadic life and the changing world around him.

Shane McConkey

(USA, 2002: Steve Winter, Murray Wais, Scott Gaffney)

Taken from his segments in the Matchstick Productions ski movie series, the amazing Shane McConkey (son of former Whistler Ski School director Jim McConkey) is part magician, part comedian and entirely awe-inspiring when he takes to the snow.

8 p.m.

Rockstars!  One Steep Planet

(Switzerland, 2003: Alec Wohlgrath)

A wild mountain biking film set against the amazing backdrop of the Swiss Alps.

Eiger North Face  In the footsteps of Its First Climbers

(Switzerland, 2002: Frank Senn, Thomas Ulrich)

Winner of the 2003 Best Film on Climbing award. The film follows accomplished mountaineers Stephan Siegrist and Michal Pitelka as they take on the Eigers infamous North Face using equipment similar to that used by the first-ascent party in 1938.

Falling

(USA, 2003: John Armstrong)

A short film that beautifully captures the awe and exhilaration of waterfall kayaking.

Cost of Freedom

(USA, 2002: Vanessa Schultz)

A film documenting a controversial 1995 wolf reintroduction effort in Idaho, capturing the major players, both human and lupine on film, and guaranteed to spark heated debate about animal conservation issues.

High Life

(USA, 2003: Todd Jones, Steve Jones, Dirk Collins, Corey Gavitt)

An abridged version of the latest ski/snowboard film by Teton Gravity Research, a company that continues to set the industry bar for depictions of big mountain riding.

Sister Extreme

(Canada, 2003: Glen Crawford, Brad Wrobleski)

Winner of the 2003 Peoples Choice award, this mountaineering mockumentary won over the crowds with its goofy "Spinal Tap with Crampons" humour. Follow Rex Van Fuegoshmidt and Jeff Z. as they attempt the first ascent of the notorious west face of Canmores Middle Sister peak, all the while shedding light on the mystery surrounding the tragic disappearance of a legendary Dutch alpinist. Renowned local climbers Barry Blanchard, Will Gadd and Pat Morrow add their commentary.

Self Titled

(Canada, 2003: Mike Kinrade, Jeremy Grant)

The MPF Productions crew are a good bunch of boys from Nelson, B.C. who can outride pretty much anyone on the planet. An abridged version of their film Riders Anonymous with urban trials, big jumps, hard crashes and a great soundtrack.